Building a resilient community doesn't happen in a vacuum - it happens through solidarity, shared resources, and collective action. We would love for you to join us for an inspiring educational and networking event focused on the power of aligned resources, information, and response right here in our region. Join COSA for this special meeting!

This presentation will focus on the work of a local leading immigrant justice organization, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, and LUCE, the statewide Massachusetts coalition of immigrant-led grassroots organizations. PVWC and LUCE have organized rapid response, mutual aid, and leadership development opportunities for impacted community members in the face of severe threats to immigrants. Presenters will speak to the value of coalition building to address complex crises, share resources, and increase solidarity and awareness between organizations.

Presenters will include Ariana Keigan, Associate Director, Pioneer Valley Workers Center, and

Andrea Darby, Northampton/Easthampton Hub Leader, LUCE.

Tuesday, May 12th @10am-11:30am

Hadley Public Library, 50 Middle Street, Hadley

Light refreshments will be available

Last week's favorite click

AGO's Office has new Western MA Community Engagement Coordinator

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Support for Community Development Corps.

The Commonwealth has announced $12.8M in Community Investment Tax Credits for Community Development Corporations across Massachusetts. These awards support local nonprofit organizations as they advance affordable housing development and preservation, strengthen neighborhood-based programs, and expand economic opportunity in communities across the state. Since its creation, the CITC program has been an important source of flexible funding for community-based organizations supporting affordable housing development, community planning, economic development, homeownership assistance, financial education, foreclosure prevention and workforce development. Valley Community Development, Hilltown CDC, and Way Finders were awardees of this vital program.

See the announcement here

New Emergency Dept is completed

Cooley Dickinson Hospital has officially completed a major expansion and renovation of its Emergency Department — now 40% larger and designed to better meet the needs of patients and families across western Massachusetts.

The new space includes additional patient rooms, dedicated mental health care beds, an in department CT scanner, and a redesigned layout that supports faster, more efficient care.

Get more info here

IRS to revise Form 990

The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to revise the Form 990 to improve transparency, strengthen tax administration, and provide clearer reporting on certain activities of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations. The changes are intended to detect misconduct and hold wrongdoers accountable. Government grants and contracts can involve substantial public funds. Clearer reporting in these areas can help the IRS and the public better understand the sources and uses of that funding, support proper revenue classification, and reduce the risk of fraud, abuse, and misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Read the Treasury press release here

Way Finders receives $1M funding

Way Finders was delighted to host state officials and MassHousing in Springfield on 413 Day (April 13) as they announced big grant awards for housing. Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias announced the awarding of $8 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program grants to create affordable housing and address neighborhood blight across the state. Way Finders is grateful to receive $1 million of this funding to support City of Homes, which repurposes vacant, distressed properties into fully rehabilitated and affordable homes for first-time homebuyers. The project reflects a broader commitment to revitalizing neighborhoods, creating pathways to stability, and ensuring that more families can put down roots here in the 413.

Read about the City of Homes program here